“It’s just so tough. We weren’t sure going into qualifying which line to commit to – you kind of have to feel it out out there. We don’t practice when it’s this hot, and you don’t get a lot of tires to practice these qualifying runs. I kind of did a low-line on one lap and high-line on the next, kind of split the difference. It’s not great. Nobody’s car is going to be great, maybe Helio’s (Castroneves), his car looked pretty stupid in practice (haha). It is what it is; it’s a 500-mile race. We’re not too fussed about it, it’s just really, really difficult conditions today.”

Ryan Hunter-Reay, No. 28 DHL Honda

Will start from the ninth position for tomorrow’s season finale event, his career best starting position at the Inland Empire’s 2-mile racetrack

Has a best finish of fourth in two previous starts at Auto Club Speedway

“Our outright speed here at Fontana we‘re not really worried about, it‘s more about the race car here. Last year we started mid-pack and we were leading by the first stint, so hopefully we‘ll have a similar situation. I’m pretty happy with the balance of the car – we‘ll see how it is tonight, but qualifying was sort of a sideshow for us.”

Marco Andretti, No. 25 Snapple Honda

The 2012 MAVTV 500 polesitter will start from the 18th position

Holds two top-eight finishes in his previous two starts in Fontana

“It was a little bit of both (balance and speed issues) with qualifying today. Unfortunately, I went in and there was just no load on the front of the car going into (Turn) 1, so obviously we shot up the track. A little disappointed we missed the balance there, but I’m confident in our race car for tomorrow night. We‘ll just have to come from the back.”

Carlos Muñoz, No. 34 Cinsay Honda

Captured his sixth and final Indy Lights victory on the SoCal circuit (2013)

The Colombian was seen as high as second place in his third IndyCar start at the low-banked oval in 2013

“Today we had a little practice in the morning – just checking the car for qualifying. Qualifying didn’t go as we expected it to; I had a little problem with the balance. We just need to find a little balance and hopefully tomorrow will be better.”